How to Make Maple Syrup
Have you ever wondered how we get maple syrup?
I’m happy that I live in an area of New York where I am able to make this sweet treat happen in my own back yard. I only tap one tree in my yard. It’s a small operation but it’s just enough for the kids. The kids get involved and learn about the maple syrup process.
I learned how to tap a maple tree a couple of years ago at a local farm. I was so excited to try it at home. The funny thing is we only have one maple tree. Go figure! Anyways, we still proceeded. At my amazement, we tapped the tree and it worked! We had maple sap flowing in no time.
Check at the end for a YouTube video tutorial and a FREE bonus!
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Identifying a maple tree
The first thing you want to do is identify that you have a maple tree. Sugar maples are typically the best. When I went looking for my maple tree I used the bark and the branches to identify it. Also, when they have leaves on them that’s a good way to determine too. You want to make sure its a mature tree. At least 12 inch in diameter.
Timing
Timing is important to make maple syrup. You need to start collecting sap around mid February to mid March. The timing is dependent of the temperature outside. You need the days to be above freezing and the nights below freezing. The temperature changes makes the trees sap move up and down and out your tree tap for collection.
Equipment to tap maple trees
You will need some basic equipment to start. I went to my local Tractor Supply for my tree tapping supplies.
3- 5 gallon bucket with lid (food grade)
4- Drill
5- Hammer
6- Filter
Tapping the maple trees
As a rule of thumb if the maple tree is 12 to 20 inches only put in one tap. 21 to 27 inches can get two. Greater then 27 inches can get three taps.
You want to make sure that all the equipment is clean before you begin. Make sure your drill bit is clean also. You don’t want to introduce any bacteria into the tree.
The hole you drill should be at least three feet from the ground. If you tapped the tree last year make sure its about six inches away from the old hole. Ideally, you want to place it over a large root on the south facing side.
Drilling the hole! Pick a drill bit that fits your tap. For mine I used a 5/16 inch. You want to drill a hole on a slight angle – about two to two in a half inches deep. You could add a piece of tape to your drill bit. It’s so you know how far to drill. The angle is to help the sap flow out. Clean out the shavings. Insert your tap and tap it lightly into place with a hammer. You should see the sap start dripping immediately. I attach clear food grade tubing to my taps that are attached to a 5 gallon food grade safe bucket with a lid on it. For mine, I drilled a hole in the bucket lid and inserted the tube for collection.
Collecting the sap
The sap should be pretty clear. Its pretty cool with the clear tubing. Everyone can watch the sap running down. After my bucket was full, I switched it out with another bucket. You have to keep the sap refrigerated until you boil it so it doesn’t spoil. I checked the bucket daily to make sure it wasn’t over flowing.
You can find some food grade buckets here.
Taps and Tubes here.
See the sap flowing into my collection bucket.
Making maple syrup, the final step
Because I only have one maple tree I have boiled the sap inside before. It isn’t recommended to do so for larger quantities. Outdoors is best. There is so much water that needs to be boiled out. Just remember it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup!
For instance, when boiling down my sap outside I use a propane cooker. It consists of the cooker stand, a propane tank and a very large stock pot.
Start to boil the sap. As the sap boils down – add more sap and keep a boil going. The boiling sap will start to take on a golden color. The best way to test the consistency of the maple syrup is to use a syrup hydrometer. To finish the maple syrup, the temperature should be 7 degrees F above the boiling point of water. Make sure you adjust your temperature to your elevation. When the sap boils down enough outside you can move it indoors to a smaller pot to finish it off. Then, you can filter the maple syrup with the syrup filter and bottle it up. You can keep it yourself or give away to friends and family.
Find a candy thermometer here.
And a maple syrup hydrometer here.
Hyrdometer Test Cup here.
Syrup filters here.
You want to stop collecting the sap when the outside temperature stays above freezing and buds start forming. The sap will start to taste unappealing. Don’t forget to take the taps out!
Storing your maple syrup
You want to keep your 100 percent pure maple syrup in the refrigerator. It can grow mold on it if left out to long. Its not like that “maple flavored” stuff you buy at the store. Here is an article I found about storing your pure maple syrup.
https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-maple-syrup-go-bad/
Here are some really pretty maple leaf jars to store your syrup in. I’m definitely getting some of these!
How do you enjoy maple syrup?
Besides drizzling it over your waffles in the morning, there are other ways to enjoy maple syrup.
There is maple syrup candy, maple syrup cream, maple fudge and I even got a chance to try maple syrup cotton candy! If you ever get to go to the NYS sheep and wool festival be sure to look out for it in the food vendor dome.
For more maple syrup information and products
History
Referenced from Wikipedia
For more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syrup#History
Get your FREE Printable Maple Syrup Labels here:
FREE PRINTABLE MAPLE SYRUP LABELS
Watch the video tutorial here:
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Some of my other posts you might like:
How to Make The Ultimate Bone Broth
The Best Gluten-free Flourless Chocolate Quinoa Cake
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I love maple candy! I don’t think people realize how much work goes into tapping and collecting maple syrup is. Great post!
This is a great thing to teach your kids! A wonderful family experience. So important to know how to do things like this. Thank you for sharing!
I did this once before at our friends sugar shack, what fun! Great tutorial!
Thank you so much for sharing this process!! I have been wanting to tap our maples since we moved to our farm but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Saving this post for next year!
This is so helpful thank you so much for sharing this!
Loved this post!! So interesting. Maple tapping looks like so much fun!